Hysterectomy - what to take with me?

[iminthegarden]

Having a hysterectomy next week. Can anyone offer advice of what bits to pack in my bag that I may not have already thought of. Esp since I won't be getting any visitors to bring things in. Any tips appreciated. Thanks.

Extra drinks, ear plugs, wipes, two towels, big knickers, sanitary towels, long nighties, soft bra, extra drinks, tissues, music on phone/ipod with ear phones, extra drinks.

As soon as you can, afterwards, drink plenty of fluids and some. This will get your bladder working and will help your bowels. As soon as you can, get out of bed and walk up and down the ward. I had my surgery late in the afternoon and then only had two nights in hospital. I was thrilled to be out so soon.

Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you.

I took my iPad, invaluable when you can't sleep and don't forget your chargers.

I had a hysterectomy last week & came on to say iPad and power bank in case the plug in not close. I second what @operasinger says as well, especially the wipes. Hope it goes well!

Slip on, RINSABLE, shoes. Crocs or slide flip flops you can wear with socks. Learned this one the hard way after bringing slippers for after a gynecological surgery.

I took a little storage pot of peppermint teabags and when I felt like one I just asked for a cup of boiling water and dunked one in.

I mean, I took stuff others mentioned too. Not just teabags. But offering them up as they can help with digestion/wind at a time when you don't want to be affected.

@MixedUpFiles I have slide in slippers are these okay? Wouldn't have to bend down to put them on

Lip balm and moisturiser too.

I felt really dehydrated after surgery so that was helpful as well as other stuff mentioned

long charger cable, sweets/mints to suck, really comfy baggy leggings/joggers as tummy will be swollen.

Are you having keyhole or open surgery? I had the keyhole one, take some peppermint cordial or teabags & something like Rennie Deflatine for the trapped wind afterwards, some dried mango or apricots to help keep things moving, something comfortable to come home in, I had some high waisted leggings & a tunic style top that were comfortable & some slip on shoes. A drinks bottle with a sports top so you can get started on your fluids as soon as you can after coming back from theatre, you will probably have a catheter until the morning after & will have to have 3 bladder scans after you catheter is removed to check your bladder is emptying. Make sure you have some paracetamol & Ibuprofen at home & take some Arnica tablets to start as soon as you can afterwards for any bruising. I had my op in the evening & was home by 9.30am the morning afterwards.

@Nat6999 I don't think it will be keyhole sadly as quite complicated. Great tips though, thank you

I had open surgery, as I had a large tumour. All fine now!

Just to mention, it took me ages to recover. Make sure when you get home that you rest and let someone look after you. I was surprised how long it took me to get back to any sort of normal. My neighbour had the same operation last year and she's said exactly the same. Her sister moved in with her, to look after her. In her words, her DH is useless.

Plenty of rest and short walks when you feel able. I over did the walks and gave myself plantar fasciitis, but that's another story.

Water bottle with built in straw so you don't need to hunch to drink. Arnica fir the swelling. I took peppermint oil capsules.

A blanket or folded bath towel to protect your scar from the seat belt going home.

Genuine question- would some of you mind saying the reasons for your hysterectomy? I have approached my GP about it and keep getting dismissed

Fibroid leading to extremely heavy periods leading to anemia @Jamboree01 . But was decided after a failed hysteroscopy. Discussion was based on my age etc.

Op definitely agree re long charger; you don't want to have to be an awkward position post operation. You can get 3 metre ones from Amazon etc.

@Nat6999

A blanket or folded bath towel to protect your scar from the seat belt going home.

Oh yes I'd forgotten that part! My husband brought a pillow when he fetched me.

@Jamboree01 mine is quite an unusual scenario, my Fallopian tube has blown up like a balloon and is putting pressure on my ureter so it needs to come out

@tobee love this tip, just bought one thanks

Even if you don’t take it with you, get some Dulcolax or Sennakot, prune juice, dried apricots - whatever your anti-constipation preferences are for post-discharge.
You are likely to have post-operative pain medicine that bungs you up and you need to proactively try to head off difficult bowel movements for some weeks afterwards.

Eye mask because the lights will be on all night.
Ear plugs
Headphones for your phone or tablet so you can listen to stuff (music, radio, guided healing meditations, audiobooks) without disturbing others.

Pleased to help @iminthegarden

Thanks everyone

Good luck and here's hoping it goes well xxx

I had one in January, open surgery and cut from just above my belly button in a vertical line. I took big knickers - I would have been better with low cut ones to go below my scar. Soft joggers, slippers with grippy soles, nighties (but wore hospital gowns), a big cardigan in case I was cold, iPhone and kindle and chargers. I wasn’t allowed any fruit etc post surgery and just had mash (apparently you need soft easily digestible food). Take a couple of flannels and a towel and nice shower gel for a wash down.
What I took and didn’t use, peppermint tea (was given peppermint oil for the terrible terrible wind post surgery), a change of clothes (only got dressed to go home), sweets (not allowed - restricted diet), deflatine (was given any meds I needed).
One thing was I wasn’t given any help at all to pack on the way home and no one was allowed in to help me, so pack light and put things within easy reach / waist height so it’s easier for you.
Get up and waking as soon as you can and download the NHS Squeezy pelvic floor app this will really help.
I also signed up to hystersisters, which helped me to not feel alone and gave me people going through it at the same time.
I also had blood thinners for a while at home - these are injections that my DP did in my thighs - fuck they hurt so be prepared if you need them (this was the most painful part after getting up for the first time post surgery for me).
Good luck and ask for help when you need it!

Hi OP, I am currently isolating as my Hysterectomy is on Friday.

I am 40, have severe Endo and have been on painkillers for years, I had my 4th DC a yr ago snd had a C-section. I have been told that it is very similar.
The thing I'm dreading the most is having a 1 yr old and trying to manage after the surgery.

I am going to send my mum a list of things to get me that I hadn't thought of so thank you for this post.